Dating/Domestic Violence

Domestic violence can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner.

Dating violence can be physical, sexual, verbal or emotional. Just because a person isn’t physically hurting you doesn’t mean they aren’t abusing you. Violence and abuse have no place in a relationship. Dating violence or violence in any relationship is not about love or caring. It’s about one person trying to control another person.

It can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender. It can happen to couples who are married, living together or who are dating. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels.